UNESP s International Research Collaboration

Transcription

1 UNESP s International Research Collaboration

2 Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP UNESP s Research Collaboration Research: Brazilian universities have been the engine of the development of science and technological innovation in the Country. Quality has replaced quantity in terms of scientific production in the Brazilian and international scene. In this way, Brazil has reached an extraordinary record, being in the thirteenth position among the countries that most publish scientific papers in the world, such a number that reveals the growth of the importance of the country in the international scientific scene and ennobles the Brazilian science, demonstrating its strength and competence. UNESP is proud to be involved in this movement by publishing books, book chapters and articles in qualified scientific publications and also by the registration of patents. Thus, the University contributes to build high quality Brazilian science, recognized both nationally and internationally. The insertion of UNESP in this scene takes place through various research groups of high national and international expertise in several areas. Detailed information is provided in this document. 2

3 Alternative and Renewable Energy João Andrade de Carvalho Júnior To develop research on this area the UNESP proposed the nucleation of a multidisciplinary team dedicated to investigating technological innovations aimed to solve environmental problems, power generation and better utilization of energy resources. Due to the complexity of the issues, the studies were divided into five themes, two associated with pollution and the other related to the generation and rational use of energy: Sequestration of Greenhouse Gases Automation and Control of Power Systems Efficient Use of Energy Intelligent Electricity Networks Energy Storage by Intelligent Materials 3

4 Bioactive Natural Products Maysa Furlan The Brazil biodiversity, specially plant diversity, is considered an important source of health and the retribution in social benefits depends on its sustainable use. Natural products have been studied for researches from UNESP that has identified compounds with interesting structures and bioactivities. An overview of this contribution are listed here, where it is presented six great researches areas involving bioactive natural products and pharmaceutical developments: Action mechanism, structure and function of bioproducts Biologicals activities assays Biological, pharmacological and microbiological applications in human and animals clinical Design and generation of bioproducts Raw material production from microorganism, animals and plants Separation and purification of extract, proteins and peptides 4

5 Bioenergy Nelson Ramos Stradiotto Brazil is the world s largest producer of sugar cane, raw materials for ethanol and sugar, natural, clean and renewable fuel with growing demand for national and international market. UNESP has a solid core for supporting academic research related to these topics. In an attempt to increase the cooperation in fields related to ethanol production in Brazil, it is organized here a list of researches working in five priority areas with potential innovation, such as: Biofuel application in automotive engine Biofuel production Biomass for bioenergy Biorefinaries and ethanol chemistry Economy and social and environmental impacts of biofuel 5

6 Biotechnology and Biomaterials The Centre for Biomaterials and Biotechnology of UNESP aims to develop research, products, processes and services related to biotechnology in the areas of health and animal production, agriculture and environment. The focuses of the research are: Celso Luis Marino Isolation and structural characterization of active plant and animal biomolecules of therapeutic interest. Rational design of drugs and vaccines. Study of host-pathogen interaction aiming the development of diagnostic methods for neglected diseases. Development of molecular tools for efficiency increase in animal breeding and agriculture. Molecular epidemiology of tropical diseases. 6

7 Environment and Climate Changes Newton La Scala Junior Climate change is emerging as a major challenge for modern society, an all society branches have a role to play in tackling it. Brazil plays an important role in climate change, as one of the greatest ecosystems and forests of the planet. So, has been responsible for many actions to understand and to protect this health. UNESP has many researches giving an important contribution to knowledge building in climate changes in Brazil. The main researches are: Adaptation Biodiversity Database Environmental education Environmental legislation Methodology in climate studies Mitigation Observational system of environmental Public policy in environmental Social-environmental impacts Vulnerability 7

8 Food and Food Security Mary Rosa de Marchi UNESP throughout its existence, has developed studies, research and community outreach actions focusing fundamental aspects of food production, with great expertise in several aspects involved on production, processing and food technology, food safety and environment, and social organization of workers in the recycling sector (scavengers), in an interdisciplinary approach. UNESP currently has a team of high level researchers including several knowledge areas related to food and nutritional safety. Nowadays, some interest issues in grains, fruits and vegetable production are: Improvement of direct plantation system for several crops Water and soil management New cultivars evaluation and development Management and cultural practices involving the majority of crops, fruits and vegetables of economic importance Evaluation of alternative methods of controlling weeds, pests and diseases, aiming at reduction of production cost and environmental damage Studies of photosynthetic responses of plants in an atmosphere designed under the effects of global warming and increases in atmospheric CO 2 Studies focused on plant physiological and ecological. 8

9 Material Science José Arana Varela The material science research group is one of the most important and productive groups in this research topic in Brazil, conducting collaborative, multidisciplinary and integrated research in a very wide range of domains in material sciences. One of the main goals is to synthesize and process organic and inorganic materials to develop its application in industry and technology. The main research topics are: Catalysis Thin films Nanotechnology Theoretical chemistry Synthesis of inorganic materials Voltage-dependent resistors Luminescent materials Ceramic pigments Sensors materials Refractory materials Ferroelectric Materials Magnetic materials Multiferroics Materials Materials for green energy 9

10 Nanotechnology Carlos Frederico de Oliveira Graeff Nanotechnology can be classified as a powerful tool, capable of shaping the chemistry of atoms and molecules, converting them into exciting nanosized and nanostructures materials, devices and machine. There are a growing number of specialist in nanotechnology research in Brazil. For this, potential areas for collaborative research has been identified by UNESP, involving a great number of scientist working on development and applications of nanotechnology in health and environmental protection. Here, it is described eight priorities knowledge areas with high innovation in nanotechnology: Nanoelectronic Nanomaterials and nanostructure of structural applications Nanomaterials applied to environmental protection Nanomaterials applied to health Nanomaterials applied to heterogeneous catalysis Nanomaterials catalysis Nanomaterials photonics and optical applications Nanotechnology of cementitious materials 10

11 Ocean Science As part of the diagnostics focused on hydrocarbon discoveries in the subsalt areas, existence of hydrates, phosphates and sulphides on the coast and other potential geological, and threats involving climate change, biodiversity loss, environmental Maria Valnice Boldrin quality and sustainability of marine and terrestrial resources, UNESP proposes the establishment of a Centre of Ocean Science located in São Vicente, São Paulo State with the aims to focus on the creation of favourable environment for the exchange of knowledge between different areas of ocean science, to implement basic infrastructure, research, and to facilitate the supply of equipment as well to implement a graduate course in Advanced Studies of the Sea to be involved in the formation of qualified human resources. This proposal is supported by a group of 117 researchers from UNESP consolidated with competence in the following areas: Geology Petrology and metallogeny Oceanography Natural resources Fisheries Environment 11

12 Pharmaceutical Science and Biotechnology The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences UNESP research areas cover many fields of advanced Pharmaceutical Sciences and Biotechnology. Medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, drug delivery and nanomedicine, medicinal plants, pharmacognosy, drug Cleopatra Planeta technology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and toxicology are areas of research in Pharmaceutical Sciences. In recent years the School of Pharmaceutical Sciences also develop projects in pharmaceutical care focusing the rational use of medicines. Biotechnology research also focuses on development of techniques to improve the production of bioethanol fuel. In addition, some projects apply biotechnology for the development of nutraceuticals and beverages. The School of Pharmaceutical Sciences takes part of many scientific networks including the Genome and the Biota Bioprospect projects, and the Nanobiotechnology Network. The research projects in Biotechnology have a wide range of biological and industrial applications, which includes: Genomics Proteomics Immunology Cellular and molecular biology Biodrugs or biopharmaceuticals for diagnostic products and therapy of human diseases 12

13 Pre-Clinical and Clinical Studies Célia Regina Nogueira The School of Medicine from Botucatu covers translational and clinical research themes with a high degree of interdisciplinary from studies of single molecules and diseases. The molecular mechanisms and the study of mechanisms that regulate gene expression are an important focus of several groups. We also have a strong interest in understanding how cellular malfunction can lead to disease, thus there are groups studying the molecular mechanisms of disease. Our mission is to go from bench to bedside, and back to the bench. The close interaction with hospital, places the research in a privileged position to bridge the gap between bench research and clinical practice. There are several researchers cores: Nutrition and Metabolism Cardiovascular Disease Metabolic Hormone Mutagenesis Nutrigenomics Pregnant and Diabetes Infection Disease 13

14 Public Policies Cláudio Benedito Gomide de Souza The challenges of public policy planning in developing countries, Brazil in particular, are of great concern. Research data can be used to educate the public as well as policy makers, there by improving the public policy process. UNESP has contributed to the growing of this field and identify five strategic areas covering: Policy applied in environmental protection and sustainable development Public policy applied in education and communication Public policy in health Public policy in security Public policy management 14

15 Universidade Estadual Paulista - UNESP Listed among the three largest and most important Brazilian universities, UNESP stands out as an example of extreme success among the multi campus institutions around the world. As one of three public universities maintained by the Government of the State of São Paulo, UNESP offers quality education while developing strategic research and interacting with the society through the provision of services of the community. Institutional knowledge education complex comprises 32 schools and Brazil institutes in 23 cities, being 22 in the countryside (one at the coast of the state) and one at the state capital, where its administration is centralized. Campuses of UNESP: São Paulo State 15

16 International Office The International Relations Office of São Paulo State University gives support to all the internationalization initiatives of the institution and manages the undergraduate exchange programs For further information Universidade Estadual Paulista Rua Quirino de Andrade, Centro São Paulo - SP -Brasil